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Main Page Can a Felon join?
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Posted by: DVET1979

I have a friend who wants to join the military but he was convivted of a non-voilent felony 3 yeares ago. I have called a few recruiters and gotten different answers. Does anyone personally know of someone who recently (post 9/11) who got in with a felony?

Posted by: maineprobation

Yes, quite a few here in Maine in the past year or so. I work as a Probation and Parole Officer so I write recommendations for waivers for some of my former probationers who are basically not bad kids but did something stupid at age 18 or so. Minor burglaries (motor vehicle break-ins), thefts, some felonies like Habitual Offender (multiple OAS convictions), and others. No sex offenses but we have had a couple of felony level assaults taken. It is my hope that if they complete their enlistment and serve with honor, the Governor might give them a pardon at some point.

Posted by: creeperjeep

Yes anyone can join the army now.
There are so many criminals in the army now, and more to come since they lowered their standards.

Posted by: maineprobation

I noticed on the morning news today that the General Accountability Office (GAO), which investigates Federal programs for Congress, is looking into the relaxation of standards for enlistees. I remember back in the 1960's we had a Judge in Hampshire County District Court in Northampton, Mass. who gave many young guys a choice of sentence: Hampshire County House of Corrections or Army Recruiter! But the services got sick and tired of babysitting those among them that could not adapt to discipline. It takes a lot of time and money to train a man. If they drop out halfway through boot camp it's a big waste of taxpayer dollars.

Posted by: sh460

Yes it is true! I personally know someone who was incarcerated in Mississippi for 5 years and was prior military. He got released and re-enlisted and is now in Iraq for the second time!! Guess Iraq is much better than the prisons in ol Mississippi huh?

Posted by: HPD104

I may be alone here, but im not sure if I want someone who did'nt have the responsibility to follow the law have that same responsibility placed in his hands during a combat situation. I agree some people would be great soldiers and have committed a felony, but I fell if you leave it up to someone to make decisions on a case by case basis it brings corruption when deciding who's in or who's out. I think whats a rule for one should a rule for all and in that case it should be across the board one way or the other.

Posted by: DVET1979

Quote:

Originally Posted by maineprobation

Yes, quite a few here in Maine in the past year or so. I work as a Probation and Parole Officer so I write recommendations for waivers for some of my former probationers who are basically not bad kids but did something stupid at age 18 or so. Minor burglaries (motor vehicle break-ins), thefts, some felonies like Habitual Offender (multiple OAS convictions), and others. No sex offenses but we have had a couple of felony level assaults taken. It is my hope that if they complete their enlistment and serve with honor, the Governor might give them a pardon at some point.

Thanks this was helpful. I will pass it along to my friend, hopefully he will be able to make up for his mistake by doing an honorable thing by serving our great nation and become a fully productive member of society. He slashed some car tires at age 18 but due to the amount of damage (over $250) they charged and convicted him. He served no time and is trying his best not to fall into the "felony cycle". I am not defending what he did, but I do think in his case he deserves a shot to make his life better.

Posted by: K9Vinny

Just a question, how can a felon possess a weapon? It is a federal offense to possess a firearm if you are a convicted felon, let alone a machine gun or bazooka. Does joining the military give them immunity? I wouldn't think so.

Posted by: Irish_Cop_In_Va

Quote:

Originally Posted by K9Vinny

Just a question, how can a felon possess a weapon? It is a federal offense to possess a firearm if you are a convicted felon, let alone a machine gun or bazooka. Does joining the military give them immunity? I wouldn't think so.

Good point

Posted by: sempergumby

I think many people (Felons are people too. ) screw up on the outside. Once in the Military they usually find what was missing in their life. Personel worth Self discipline and unity a family.
In my old unit there where 3 felons all of which carried an arsenal of weapons. I think they made geat decisions that saved lives.

Posted by: JoninNH

I beleive that ony a case by case basis, they should be allowed in. If they fuck up on the inside, the UCMJ will fuck them worse then they would have gotten it on the outside, so in a way, it's a self policing policy. Any type of violent offense? No way.

Posted by: JoninNH

Quote:

Originally Posted by DVET1979

Whatever he does, don't let him lie to the recruiter about his criminal record.

Good luck to anyone looking to turn his life around. It's rare, but sometimes, people do change.

Posted by: dcs2244

DVET, you should have specified "non-violent" felon...I voted no based on felon alone. I have no problem with the scenarios posted here...sign 'em up. I do have a problem that felons can join...but my people can not.

Posted by: DVET1979

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcs2244

DVET, you should have specified "non-violent" felon...I voted no based on felon alone. I have no problem with the scenarios posted here...sign 'em up. I do have a problem that felons can join...but my people can not.

Who are your "people" exactly.

Posted by: CJIS

Im gonna say it depends.

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